Mr. Avant was a member of Calvary Free Will Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.

He was retired from International Paper Company of Georgetown and also was a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors include one son, Wallace Avant (Glenda) and one daughter, Gwen Lambert, both of Georgetown; three grandchildren, Christine Anderson (Ryan), Janet Avant and Jonathan Lambert, all of Georgetown; two great-grandchildren, Ethan Anderson and Corrin Anderson, both of Georgetown; and one sister, Luretha Williams of Greer, S.C.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Teddy Rabon officiating.

Burial will follow at Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends on Tuesday at Graham Funeral Home.

Graham Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements (www.grahamfuneralhome.org ).

Jayne Kissam

Jayne Horvath Kissam, age 68, beloved wife of 48 years passed away on Monday, April 21 in Alpharetta, Ga.

She was born in Toledo, Ohio on March 26, 1946.

She was a devoted wife of William T. Kissam and mother of three children, Barbara Kissam of Charlotte, N.C., Michael and Caroline Kissam of Greenville, S.C. and Amy Kissam-Sands and Dr. Skip Sands, Alpharetta, Ga.

She is survived by her sister, Janis Rogers of Wilmington, N.C., brothers, Jeff and Wanda Horvath, Newton, N.C. and Jay P and Brenda Daley Horvath of Stewart, Fla.

Mrs. Kissam graduated from Statesville Senior High School in 1964, a B.S. from the University of North Carolina in 1971 and Executive Management Degree from Harvard University.

She worked for 30 years in executive management positions with United Technologies, Pratt Whitney and Sikorsky Aircraft.

She retired as director of finance (CFO) with the joint venture of Sikorsky Helicopter and Boeing to build the Comanche Helicopter.

During her professional career, Jayne was actively involved during her professional career in many eleemosynary endeavors.

During her retirement in Decatur, Ala., she co- chaired Capital Campaigns for Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church, served on the Finance Council of Annunciation of the Lord Church, St. Ann School Board, Alumni Committee chair, and several church/school committees as well as sacristan for 10 years.

Jayne and her husband were instrumental in expanding the St. Ann School Foundation and recruiting children and community support for St. Ann School.

She also served as president of the American Assoc. of Women and volunteered in Hospice, CCD, Feeding the Poor, Easter Seals, Arc and the Norwalk, Conn. Oyster Festival.

She was also active in volunteering at voter registration/voting polls and other civic affairs in the Decatur community.

She was awarded and named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Decatur Daybreak for her civic and community volunteer work during her retirement.

As a dedicated mother and Grandmother, Jayne and her husband traveled with their family throughout the USA, Europe, Latin America, and Caribbean.

Jayne was a devoted Clemson supporter and Tiger fan.

She was a mentor to women climbing the corporate ladder and was successful in breaking the glass ceiling through her dedicated work and determination.

Friends and family knew Jayne for her devotion and service to others.

Visitation will be held April 25 from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. funeral Mass at Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church, 3910 Spring Ave., Decatur, AL.

A graveside memorial service and burial will be held in Oakwood Cemetery, Statesville, N.C. at noon on Monday, April 28, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible memorial donations can be made to the Jayne Kissam Memorial Fund, St. Ann School Foundation and mailed to St. Ann School, 3910 Spring Avenue SW, Decatur, AL 35603.

Nina Thompkins

Nina J. Thompkins, age 91, of Georgetown, widow of Harley Franklin Thompkins, passed away Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, at the home surrounded by her loving family.

Born Feb. 1, 1923, in Conway, Mrs. Thompkins was the daughter of the late James Lewis and Isadell Larrimore Thompkins.

She attended Conway area schools and was a retired foodservice worker for the Council of Aging.

Mrs. Thompkins attended the Assembly of God Church in Georgetown. She enjoyed her rose garden and loved walking around downtown Georgetown.

Survivors include her children, Harley Thompkins Jr. and Llena Thompkins, both of Georgetown, Sara Jo Treanor of Charleston, and Adelle Britt of Macedonia; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Comments

Notice about comments:

South Strand News is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not South Strand News.

If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.